Types Of Early Childhood Program Philosophies Play Based Philosophy Playing to Learn/Learning to Play

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Types Of Early Childhood Program Philosophies**
Play Based Philosophy — Playing to Learn/Learning to Play
High quality early childhood programs teach children to think creatively so they may succeed in a complex and 
ever-changing world. Purposeful play is developmentally appropriate and a significant element of any early childhood 
program. The following emphasizes the importance of play in a child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical 
development.
Play is a way of learning for children. During a typical preschool day there will be structured and unstructured 
periods, enabling children to learn through at their own rate. Values that support learning through play include:
• Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting about their world 
• Purposeful play is when children learn through the process of their efforts 
• Children gain knowledge by building on a path of ever increasing knowledge
• Children are encouraged to make choices and practice individual decision-making
Learning environments support purposeful play by: 
• Blocks of various sizes and materials
• Materials and time for dramatic, imaginative play
• Manipulative and table toys
• Art materials and tools to explore
• Sensory play materials, including sand and water 
• A library area
• Music and movement activities
• Cooking experiences 
• Computer exploration
• Outdoor and gross motor play
• A quiet area for the child who needs to be alone
• Ample and rich language and print
• Writing tools and materials
Adapted from the Evanston Early Childhood Directors’ Council, POSITION STATEMENT: THE IMPORTANCE OF 
PLAY TO CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS...“Playing to 
Learn/Learning to Play”

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Montessori
Montessori is both a philosophy and a method of educating children created by Maria Montessori, the first female 
physician in Italy. It is based on the belief that children have a natural desire to learn and that, when they are placed 
in an enriched environment with specially designed materials and highly trained teachers, they learn quickly and 
easily through hands on experience. Maria Montessori began work in the slums of Rome and through careful 
observation of the children in her care she discovered how to help children learn about self-care, math, language, 
cultural studies and size, shape, colors, etc. Montessori traveled throughout the world introducing her systems to 
educators and parents everywhere. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize three times.
www.rosehallmontessori.org; www.chiaravalle.org
Waldorf 
Chicago Waldorf School is an urban independent school offering early childhood through twelfth grade education 
rooted in the ideals, insights, and pedagogical methods of Rudolf Steiner, philosopher, social innovator and artist.
The school provides a diverse student body with an education that supports the development of free thinking, 
self-directed young adults, ready to embark on the next phase of their education, and eager to contribute positively
to our world and the global society of the 21st century. Many parents visiting a Chicago Waldorf School Early 
Childhood class feel an instant, intuitive connection with it — often saying, “I wish I had gone to a school like this.”
The room is warm, colorful, cared-for and filled with nature’s beauty and variety — a place where children can let 
their imaginations roam while feeling reassured and protected.
Play is the heart of the Waldorf Early Childhood program. Children develop the capacity for creative thinking, 
problem-solving abilities and social skills through their free imaginative play. Simple, natural materials — pieces of 
wood, seashells, beeswax and handcrafted toys — encourages children to form their own games and stories.